Pushing Up Bluebonnets by Leann Sweeney Read Free Book Online Page B

to pissing on the main street in Pineview. Anyway, his father sent him to rehab. He sobered up and got married.''
      ''I see. Interesting,'' I said.
      ''Scott standing right there, huh?''
      ''You got it.''
      ''Take him in there with you. If by chance her condition has an effect on him, I'd like a report on his reaction. Hell, I'd like a report on anyone's reaction. Richter was cold as stone when I told him about JoLynn. 'Course, I've met him a few times at town events and that's the way he always seems.''
      ''Should I hand you back to the deputy?''
      ''Yes. And thanks, Abby.''
      ''No problem.'' I gave Wells the phone and looked at Scott and Kate. ''We can go in, but I'm guessing only if and when the staff gives the okay.''
      That okay didn't come for a half hour and then we were told we had five minutes max.
      Kate went straight to JoLynn's bedside, but Scott hung back, as pallid as if he'd had a visit from Dracula on the way in here.
      ''My God,'' he whispered.
      JoLynn's bruises were changing to the icky stage—all blotchy with yellow and brown beginning to taint the purple and black.
      ''Pretty nasty, huh?'' I said quietly.
      ''Who would do that to her? She's the sweetest person on earth,'' he said.
      I gauged his reaction as Boyd had asked me to do and the words authentic shock came to mind. But that didn't mean he hadn't engineered the murder attempt—it meant only that he hadn't realized the human toll taken after a person experiences a powerful impact with a large immovable object.
      ''How are you two related again?'' I asked.
      ''She's my cousin.''
      ''You two grow up together?'' I probed.
      ''No. She's only been back with us for about a year.''
      ''I don't understand,'' I said.
      ''I'll leave the explanations to Uncle Elliott. What matters is that she recovers.'' He walked over to Kate's side and picked up JoLynn's hand.
      I followed, looked at my sister. ''What do you think?'' I asked.
      ''She responded to painful stimuli when I pinched her arm. Moaned a little when I whispered in her ear. She's not in a deep coma.''
      ''That's good news, right?'' Scott said.
      ''As I said in the waiting room,'' Kate replied, ''I'm not a medical doctor. You should talk to her physician.''
      ''I did,'' Scott said. ''He said I'm not next of kin and he's waiting for Uncle Elliott to arrive to report on her condition.''
      ''And when do you expect Uncle Elliott?'' I asked.
      ''I thought he'd already be here. We're the only two who—'' He pursed his lips, looked down at his shiny loafers. ''He'll be here soon.''
       Family issues? I wondered. According to what I'd already learned, there was plenty of family. ''You certainly got here quickly,'' I said with a smile, hoping he'd open up a little more.
      ''I didn't want her to be alone. I wish they'd let me sit with her so I can be here when she wakes up, but the answer to that request was an emphatic no. But she will wake up.'' His lips tightened but not before I saw them quiver.
      Scott seemed like a supersensitive guy. But maybe his concern was an act.
      A nurse opened the door, interrupting my thoughts. ''Your time is up,'' she said softly.
      He squeezed JoLynn's hand before letting go and I noticed her forehead crease ever so slightly. Seconds later the three of us rejoined Deputy Wells in the waiting room.
      Wells looked at Scott. ''You need some Dramamine, kid? 'Cause you look like you're about to toss your lunch.''
      ''I'm fine.'' Scott seemed distracted, lost in his thoughts.
      Wells addressed Kate then. ''You work a miracle in there, Doc? She tell you what happened?''
    ''Sorry to disappoint you,'' Kate answered.
      No matter how hot this guy might be, he'd never get out of the batter's box, much less to first base, with my sister. You do not make fun of Kate's job—unless you're me. I'm the only one she takes a ribbing from on that front.
      ''Come on, Abby. We need to get